Wednesday, September 24, 2003

X-MEN: EVOLUTION UPDATE

"This is the episode where Rogue tries to come to terms with what she did to Mystique, as well as her efforts to repair the damage with Kurt," Johnson told The Continuum. "Gambit, having a soft spot for Rogue, thinks he knows just what the girl needs, and spirits her off to New Orleans.

"I think fans will appreciate how Rogue and Gambit's relationship unfolds in this episode. Obviously, it's not a mushy romance, but the tension between them simmers quite well. We also involve enough of Gambit's backstory to give us a taste of what motivates him."

Look for more X-Men: Evolution news soon here in The Continuum.

MYSTIQUE PREVIEW

Marvel Comics on Wednesday provided The Contiuuum with a preview of Mystique #7, the beginning of a new arc by writer Brian K. Vaughan and new artist Michael Ryan.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:

"In the new four-issue story arc entitled 'Tinker, Tailor, Mutant, Spy,'
Mystique's new assignment from Xavier is to track down a possible new
biological weapon - a deadly new strain of smallpox. But Mystique is getting
restless following Xavier's orders... and he might not be the only boss
she's working for these days. There's another mutant who wants to get his or
her hands on this potentially apocalyptic bio-weapon!"

The issue, on sale Oct. 15, will feature a metallic black ink cover and will cost $2.99. Marvel also provided The Continuum the cover of Mystique #9 by Mike Mayhew.

Click on the thumbnails for larger views.

MYSTERY OF THE BATWOMAN UPDATE

Curt Geda, producer/director of Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman -- the animated movie released by Warner Home Video on Oct. 21 -- said that he was "thrilled" with "Chase," the bonus short that features Catwoman.

"It's five, maybe six minutes and this is no dialogue and no sound effects," Geda said. "It turned out great and it's the best added value ever as far as I'm concerned."

In other Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman news, the film will be screened at noon (PT) on Sunday at the Los Angelse Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention. Geda, voice actor Kevin Conroy, screenwriter Michael Reaves and producer Margaret Dean will appear after the screening, and a limited supply of posters will be given away.

The event is located at the Shrine Auditorium Expo Center, 700 West 32nd Street, in Los Angeles. Show hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and admission is $6.

AMERICAN FLAGG! LITHO, GICLEE

Marking the 20th anniversary of American Flagg! by Howard Chaykin, Dynamic Forces has announced a new commemorative lithograph and giclee honoring the series.

"Howard's always been a visionary, and this work remains in such high-esteem, and high-demand, that we wanted to get the fans something to help celebrate," said Nick Barrucci, president of Dynamic Forces.

Said Chaykin: "Twenty years ago I did a comic book about a 21st century America with endless reality shows based on public humiliation; a federal government secretly selling off pieces of the United States; and a citizenry so drugged out on media they colluded in their own betrayal. Don't say I didn't warn you."

Originally published in 1983 by First Comics, and running through the early 1990s, Chaykin's Flagg helped set the tone for more mature comics work.

"With these initial product launches, we're hoping to place American Flagg! right back into today's market," Barrucci said. "From there, we'll have to see what 2004 holds for American Flagg."

The lithograph measures 18 inches by 24 inches,is printed on archival 80-pound Gallerie Silk Stock and will cost $24.99. The giclee measures 12 inches by 18 inches and is printed on canvas and then stretched on wood. It will cost $249.99.

NEW COURTNEY CRUMRIN SERIES

Oni Press will launch its third Courtney Crumrin series, Courtney Crumrin in the Twilight Kingdom, on Dec. 10.

Creator Ted Naifeh is taking Courtney deeper into the society of warlocks and witches introduced to her by Uncle Aloysius.

"The story begins when Courtney starts attending Saturday classes at Radley Hall along with other children of magical families," Naifeh said. "They learn a little about the history of the coven, which stretches back to three immigrant witches. Courtney's classmates brag continually about how great and powerful their families are, and the little spells they've learned, unaware of Courtney's extensive experience and prowess. When one kid, eager to impress, performs a curse on his little brother, the victim begins to transform into a night thing. Only Courtney has the means to help the hapless boy, and so she reluctantly leads an expedition into goblin town to find the cure."

"With each series Ted continues to increase the size and scope of Courtney's world and at the same time raise the stakes," said Oni Press editor/publisher Joe Nozemack. "It's not enough to just keep unveiling new elements of the universe he's crafted, he also has to make sure there is a compelling story. Which, honestly, never seems like much of a problem."

"The Twilight Kingdom is the land of the night things, including goblin town and beyond," Naifeh said. "Basically, it's the place where magical people and creatures go to be safe from mortals. As Courtney and her classmates go deeper underground on their quest, they will encounter both the wonders and the dangers of this special place, as well as experiencing how the realm is affected by the sorrows of its king. This alone would be enough of a threat for a young girl on a normal day, but Courtney also has to worry about residual backstabbing from back home. One of the coven's deputy marshals has it in for her, and he's going to follow her down into the underworld to make sure she never gets back out.."

"This may be book 3, but we're still only at the beginning of Courtney Crumin's adventures," Nozemack said. "Where we go from here is only limited by the scope of Ted's imagination-so there really are no limitations at all."

Courtney Crumrin in the Twilight Kingdom is a four-issue mini-series, featuring 32 pages of black-and-white story and art. Each issue will cost $2.99.

BRIEFLY

NBM has announced plans to publish and revive Lea Hernandez's Rumble Girls. "Silky Warrior Tansie," the first story arc in the series started at Image Comics will come to completion in a 176-page digest book in December that will cost $9.95.
Hernandez and NBM have also come to an agreement on continuing the series with bi-monthly comic books that will then be compiled in the same manner in a series of story arcs. The comic book will start publication in the spring.

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen movie will be released on DVD on Dec. 16.

Howard Porter begins drawing The Flash with #207.

Coming Thursday: DC news -- and much more!!!

COMICS CONTINUUM BACK ISSUES

In case you missed The Continuum's recent coverage, here are some links: